Fun with Limericks – short (humerous) poems (for Unseen poetry?). All grades (High School)

These five limericks are defined and explained, and figures of speech are discussed (since it is not known for their depth, there are simple and minimal figures of speech) in these five lined poems, which tend to reflect the ridiculous aspects of life, thus retelling it in a way to make us laugh at ourselves.

These poems are ideal for ‘breaking’ into poetry or, perhaps, for kids who struggle with the intensity / profound approach that poetry seems to embody. In addition, it usually helps to foster a love for this artistic side of language.

The following poems are looked at:

• Johnny with a taste for fun
• There once was a lady from Hyde (who ate sour apples and died).
• There once was a man from Darjeeling
• There was an old witch from Kent
• There once was a man with a beard

Figures of Speech which feature:

Irony, assonance, alliteration, hyperbole, euphemism

Questions follow, and the memo after that. (30 marks)  It can easily be copied and pasted into tests/exams.

Compiled: D.West (B.A / H.D.E + B.A Hons)